At a time when sesame seed exports from India have been dull due to weak global demand and higher inventory, a 6,000 tonnes order from South Korea may result in a turnaround. The order is a result of bids invited by South Korea which India won recently. Five nations including India had bid early this month wherein finally six Indian companies won for an export order of 6,000 tonnes of premium and semi premium quality sesame seed.

Harish Lakhani, chairman of DML Group from Rajkot said "Next tender for sesame seed exports will now open in September this year. Also, the previous quarter had seen decline in exports. Hence, the recent order from South Korea may revive the Indian sesame seed export industry and also assist in stabilising the domestic price."

Domestic price of sesame seed is likely to stand at Rs 1,300-1,400 per 20 kg in near future. Currently, sesame seed prices are ruling in the range of Rs 1,450-1,500 per 20 kg. The prices have declined by roughly Rs 100 per 20 kg during the month of July and by almost Rs 300 per 20 kg in last two months.

A Mumbai-based trader and exporter said "This year overall demand in sesame seed is not so good and in July it is almost nil. This is mainly due to weak demand and higher stock position in domestic market. Moreover, good production in South America has reduced demand from Central America and that has also affected India export this year."

According to Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council of India (IOPEPC) sesame seed export from India stood at 375,656 tonnes in 2014-15 as against 257,411 tonnes in 2013-14. It has estimated 714,000 tonnes production of the commodity for 2014-15 while production was 652,000 tonnes in 2013-14.